Bird flu at poultry farm leads to protection zone

A 3km (1.8 mile) protection zone has been put in place around a poultry farm near Gloucester after a positive bird flu test result.

Avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed within the large commercial poultry flock in Brockworth on Thursday, Trading Standards confirmed on Friday.

The protection zone means all poultry and captive birds must be housed, and a 10km (6.2 mile) surveillance zone has also been enforced.

Residents who notice unhoused birds have been asked to call Gloucestershire Trading Standards' Incident Line on 01452 427999.

Cases were also confirmed at a commercial poultry premises in Somerset three weeks ago.

Lockdown measures were introduced in some parts of the country at the end of October to control the spread of the virus.

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